Motorists will soon see major benefits as work commences on three major upgrades along the M1 Pacific Motorway following the award of the construction contract today.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure and Cities Paul Fletcher said the $391.6 million M1 Pacific Motorway Upgrades, jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments, would provide a safer and more reliable motorway for all motorists.

“The three major upgrades are being carried out between the Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges, Kariong and Somersby interchanges and at the Weakleys Drive and John Renshaw Drive intersection,” Mr Fletcher said.

“This major congestion-busting project involves widening the motorway and upgrading three of the four ramps at the Kariong interchange to improve traffic flow and safety.”

New South Wales Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight Melinda Pavey said the Kariong to Somersby upgrade – one of three to be delivered under the project – had been awarded to Fulton Hogan Construction Pty Ltd.

“Work will start early next year and is expected to be completed in 2020, weather permitting, with the project expected to create 1,850 jobs,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Tenders for the contract to build the M1 Upgrade at the intersection of Weakleys Drive and John Renshaw Drive are also being assessed. This upgrade will involve replacing the existing roundabout with traffic lights to improve traffic flow, travel times and safety for motorists, with the successful contractor expected to be announced shortly.

“Work on this major project is expected to start early next year with the upgrade expected to be completed in 2019.”

Federal Member for Robertson Lucy Wicks said this work will improve traffic flow on one of Australia’s busiest roads and cater for predicted traffic increases and greater freight demand on the Central Coast, Hunter and North Coast.

“We have around 30,000 commuters on the Central Coast who leave early in the morning and arrive home late at night to their families. This will help get them home sooner, and spend less time stuck in congestion,” Mrs Wicks said.

“Along with major projects like NorthConnex, the M1-M2 missing link, we are delivering on our commitments to improve the commute for hard-working people on the Central Coast.”

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast and the Hunter Scot MacDonald said the third upgrade between the Tuggerah and Doyalson interchanges was also progressing well, with 80km/h speed limits in place along the 12-kilometre section of motorway.

“Major work for this project started in August and is expected to be completed in 2020, weather permitting,” Mr MacDonald.

“All motorists, including commuters, locals, and heavy vehicles will benefit from the M1 upgrades. More than 70,000 light and heavy vehicles travel between the Central Coast and Hunter region and Sydney each day, and it’s great to see these upgrades underway.”